427. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Healththe funding provided to the Tallaght drug and alcohol task force each year since its foundation in 1997 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35949/16]

428. Deputy Paul Murphyasked the Minister for Health if he will consider increasing the funding to the Tallaght drug and alcohol task force in view of the fact that the task force did not receive a commensurate increase in its budget following the increase in its responsibilities when alcohol was added to its remit in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35950/16]

429. Deputy Paul Murphyasked the Minister for Health his views on increasing the budget for drug and alcohol task forces; his further views on whether increased funding should form part of the new strategic action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.  [35951/16]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Catherine Byrne): I propose to take Questions Nos. 427 to 429, inclusive, together.

In line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Government is committed to continuing support for initiatives to tackle the drug problem. In the 2017 budget, an additional €3m has been provided for a number of measures aimed at improving the health outcomes of those affected by addiction issues. The increased funding will support the development of a pilot supervised injection facility in Dublin city centre, the wider availability of alternative opiate substitution treatments for those who are not suited to methadone, improved services for under 18s and more detoxification beds.

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem in their areas and in coordinating action at local level, so that there is a targeted response to the problem of substance misuse in local communities. Every effort has been made to protect the budgets of Drug and Alcohol Task Forces in recent years. In excess of €27.6m has been allocated to the Task Forces for community-based drugs initiatives this year, the same amount provided in 2014 and 2015. The Department of Health will shortly be writing to Task Forces to invite them to submit their recommendations for funding of drugs initiatives in 2017. It is a matter for Task Forces to ensure that their budget is effectively deployed to address current priorities and locally identified needs.

The budget allocation for Tallaght Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force for 2010 - 2016 are set out in the following table. Details of the allocation for Tallaght Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force before 2010 are not readily available.